The San Diego Padres' ongoing quest for a World Series (or at least a playoff title). "You know that many runners enter a race, but only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

RED SOX WIN!!!

For some reason, the Red Sox have suddenly become my second-favorite team. I mean, they always have been, but I’ve really gotten into them this past week. Maybe it’s because they are so talented. Maybe because I think they’re the best team in the playoffs. But whatever the reason, they’re drawing me in. Last night walk-off win thrilled me so much! It was almost like the Padres had won with the way I reacted. Well, I would have been leaping around the house like mad if it were the Padres, but I was still pretty excited about the win. Walk-offs are so much fun, especially when it’s a rookie who gets the big hit. But it was a wild 9th inning. In the top half, the Angels got a runner to third with 1 out. The batter totally missed a bunt with a squeeze on, and Jason Varitek was able to run the runner down and tag him out. The batter then struck out. In the bottom half, Jason Bay hit a ground-rule double with one out, but it probably would have been an inside-the-park homer if in hadn’t bounced into the stands. After Mark Kotsay lined out sharply, rookie Jed Lowrie came to the plate. On a first-pitch curveball, he grounded it just though the hole between first and second. Bay raced around third, and crossed the plate just as the throw came in. It wasn’t close. The Red Sox won. It was a great, great game. Jon Lester had a wonderful outing.

So it will be Boston vs. Tampa Bay in the ALCS, starting on Friday. I am really looking forward to this series. Both of these teams are very talented. The NLCS will be played by the Dodgers and the Phillies. It will be very interesting. I’m picking the Red Sox and the Dodgers for the World Series. Let’s see how it goes.

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